Stir-Fried Chicken with Spicy Tamarind Glaze
A vibrant stir-fry featuring tender chicken breast pieces glazed with a tangy and spicy tamarind sauce, balanced by fresh vegetables. This asian fusion-inspired stir fry ready in about 30 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast, tamarind paste, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, thinly sliced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 stalks, sliced diagonally green onions
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp red chili flakes until the sugar dissolves to form the glaze.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb cubed chicken breast to the skillet and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 thinly sliced yellow onion to the skillet, continuing to stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Pour the tamarind glaze over the chicken and vegetables, stirring well to coat everything. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 2 sliced green onions and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Chicken with Spicy Tamarind Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Stir-Fried Chicken with Spicy Tamarind Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tamarind paste from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Chicken with Spicy Tamarind Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Stir-Fried Chicken with Spicy Tamarind Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Stir-Fried Chicken with Spicy Tamarind Glaze?
Asian Fusion stir fry like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
